Remarks by the Vice President at a Luncheon for Bush-Cheney '04
Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Austin, Texas

12:35 P.M. CST

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.) Thank you very
much. (Applause.) Thank you all very much. (Applause.) It's great
to be back in Austin, and back here, of course, the city was the
headquarters for the Bush-Cheney Campaign in 2000. It brings back a
lot of memories. I remember many good days here, and one very long
night in this hotel -- (laughter) -- three years ago today, as a matter
of fact. And I've never forgotten that day because Lynne and I came
down after we voted in Wyoming, then we flew down here to Austin to
spend part of the day with George and Laura Bush, then the events that
we anticipated that evening. And we stayed here in the hotel, great
hotel, recommend it to everybody. But we'd planned to stay one night,
and it turned out we didn't bring enough laundry. (Laughter.) And we
were here much longer than that, but it was a remarkable series of
events. And of course, it ended as we always thought it should end.

It's great to see Karen here. And I want to thank Karen for her
kind introduction. Her daily presence is missed in the White House
because she was a superb sort of rock in the middle of the West Wing
operation in terms of her judgment, and her knowledge of the President,
and the tremendous confidence that he has in her. Better than anyone
else I've ever known, she has the capacity to sit and listen to
argument and debate, and then understand intuitively -- because she
knows the President so well -- how he'll respond to it, how he'll talk
about it, how he'll describe it. But of course, we still have her
number on speed dial. We get her back periodically and we look forward
to her very active involvement in next year's campaign.

I'm told that many of you here this evening -- will be here this
evening for an event heading -- a celebration for Bill Clements. Bill,
of course, was elected Governor of Texas 25 years ago today, one of the
great Texans. Bill's election was one of the great political events, I
always felt, in Texas. He carried the Republican banner to victory in
1978, and that signaled a new era in Texas politics. We all admire
Bill Clements for his tremendous contributions to his party, and his
service to his state and the nation. I had the great benefit of Bill's
wisdom when I became Secretary of Defense. One of the things I did was
to call a handful of people who had played prominent roles in previous
administrations in the Defense Department. And I invited Bill back
because, of course, he'd been Deputy Secretary of Defense. He was
superb in that role, and out of all the individuals I talked with as I
got ready to take on those duties and responsibilities, none had more
sage advice or greater wisdom than did Bill Clements.

1978 was also a historic election because that's the night I got
elected to Congress for the first time. So I've never forgotten that.
But also two of my colleagues from that era, Tommy Laffler (ph) and Ken
Hance (ph) are here today. We all were elected as freshmen. Two of us
had our heads properly directed in those days, and the other one
eventually came around, joined the party. (Laughter and applause.)

But I loved my time in the House of Representatives. Of course, I
was the congressman from Wyoming for 10 years. Wyoming had -- only had
one seat in the House of Representatives. It was a small delegation.
(Laughter.) But it was quality. (Laughter.) And I loved those days,
and they dated that same election night in 1978, 25 years ago, when we
all started together.

But I want to thank you all today for your generous support of the
campaign that the President and I plan to mount next year. I'm
tremendously grateful for the opportunity he's given me to serve as
Vice President. And of all us, of course, here today, are proud to be
friends and supporters of the former Texas Governor who is a great
President of the United States, George W. Bush.

Now, Texas, of course, gave us 32 electoral votes in that last
election, and we didn't need a recount. And I don't imagine we're
going to need one in 2004. Of course, my home state of Wyoming had a
contribution to make, too. I like to remind the President those three
electoral votes came in pretty handy -- from Wyoming, as well.
(Laughter.)

But looking to November of 2004, I think we've got a very busy year
ahead of us. And this week we got some early indications of how the
voters across the country feel about Republican leadership. On Tuesday
in Mississippi, the sitting Democratic Governor was unseated by the
former chairman of the Republican National Committee, Haley Barbour, in
a tremendous victory. In Kentucky, the voters chose Dr. Ernie Fletcher
-- the first Republican Governor of that state in 36 years. And let's
not forget another great victory -- just last week I had in my office
in the West Wing in the White House, the Republican Governor of the
state of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's also achieved a
tremendous victory. (Applause.)

I know this state is also proud, not only of the President, but
also our outstanding First Lady, Laura Bush. (Applause.) And I can
tell you as President of the United States Senate, that one of the most
effective teams in Washington these days is the team of Senators Kay
Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. They do a superb job for everybody
here in the state. (Applause.)

I have a special interest in the line-up in the Senate, of course,
because the fact of the matter is when they created the job of Vice
President at the Constitutional Convention there in Philadelphia, they
got all the way through the convention and decided they hadn't given
him anything to do. So they decided at the last minute that the Vice
President should also preside over the United States Senate and cast
tie-breaking votes whenever the Senate was evenly divided on an issue.
And that's my only official job as President of the Senate. But I care
a great deal about how big our margin is, obviously, in the Senate. It
has a significant impact on my duties and responsibilities.

I am always reminded of the fact that my predecessor John Adams,
our first Vice President, also had floor privileges. He was allowed to
go down into the well of the Senate and actually engage in the debate,
participate in the discussion on the major issues of the day. And then
he did a couple of times, and they withdrew his floor privileges.
(Laughter.) And they've been restored. But I do get to preside, and,
as I say, on those special occasions when the Senate is evenly divided,
I get to cast the tie-breaking vote.

But with the responsibilities that the President and I have, it
matters a great deal that we are able to count on capable partners in
the Congress. The President and I went to Washington determined to
solve problems, instead of simply passing them on to future
generations. We were determined to seize new opportunities for reform,
and to get beyond old debates that had stood in the way of progress.
Today, as we look ahead to the election next year, we have a record of
accomplishment, I believe, to show for our efforts. The American
people, I think, can be confident of a better future, a stronger
economy, and greater security against the dangers of the new era,
because of the character and leadership of our President, George W.
Bush.

In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on America, people in
every part of the country, regardless of party, took comfort and pride
in the conduct of our President. From that day to this, he has led a
steady, focused, and relentless campaign against the enemies who struck
America that morning and killed our citizens.

Not long after September 11th, one high-ranking al Qaeda official
said, "This is the beginning of the end for America." It is pretty
clear this terrorist did not know what he was talking about. It's
pretty clear he did not know us. It's clear that the terrorists who
attacked us that day did not understand the tremendous strength and
resilience of this country. And they did not understand the
determination of our President.

As we stand here today, many of al Qaeda's known leaders have been
captured or killed. Those still at large are living in fear -- and
their fears are well founded, because we are on their trail. In
Afghanistan, the Taliban regime brutalized an entire population and
harbored al Qaeda -- and that regime is no more. In Iraq, a ruthless
dictator cultivated weapons of mass destruction and the means to
deliver them. He gave support to terrorists, had an established
relationship with al Qaeda -- and his regime is no more.

Freedom still has enemies in Iraq. These terrorists are targeting
the very success and freedom that we are providing to the Iraqi
people. But we will persevere until every one of them is confronted
and defeated. This is no easy task. But the men and women of
America's Armed Forces have undertaken it with enormous skill and
courage. As a former Secretary of Defense, I have never been prouder
of the men and women in the United States military than I am today.
(Applause.)

These young men and women deserve our wholehearted support. They
deserve to have their bravery in battle recognized and to have us
acknowledge, as well, the progress they have made in helping the people
of Afghanistan and Iraq emerge into a new era of self-rule and
freedom. The men and women of our military are rebuilding schools,
repairing medical facilities, and training Afghans and Iraqis to
provide security for their fellow citizens.

Our men and women in uniform are playing a classic role, one they
undertook after World War II when they brought help and hope to the
people of Europe and Japan. Now, in the Middle East, they are
supporting the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan as they create
countries that can be part of the world community, instead of a threat
to it. This is a mission that must succeed, and under this President,
it will succeed. (Applause.)

Making sure that our nation is secure has been a principal concern
of this administration. And so has the economic well-being of our
citizens. By the time we took office, the economy was sliding into
recession, and to get it growing again, we delivered tax relief --
significant tax relief. We've done this because we believe that when
families and small businesses are hurting, the best way to help them is
to let them keep more of what they earn. And as the President reminds
us frequently, the money we spend in Washington is not the government's
money -- it's the people's money.

Our administration has delivered the largest tax relief package
since Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and we are beginning to see
strong economic growth as a result. The figures for the third quarter
this year show that the economy grew at an annual rate of 7.2 percent
-- the fastest pace in nearly 20 years. Exports are expanding,
business investment is rising, housing construction is booming -- jobs
are now beginning -- are beginning to be created. Today's
announcement, for example, if you've noticed, show that the
unemployment rate dropped, that we added 126,000 new jobs in October,
and that we'll see continued anticipated real growth in the months and
years ahead. But the President will not rest until every American who
wants a job can find a job.

Now, as you know, there are voices in the land who want to roll
back the Bush tax cuts. Sometimes I hear them on the evening news. In
fact -- you know who I'm speaking about. (Laughter.) In fact, the
Bush tax cuts are what brought us out of recession and they are helping
now to foster long-term economic growth. Instead of rolling the tax
cuts back, we need to do what the President has asked, we ought to make
the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)

President Bush has also made education reform a matter of the
highest priority. He has reached across the aisle, just as he did here
in Texas, to enact a program that encourages high aspirations and
accountability and gives parents the information they need to know
about their children's schools and whether they're making progress.

Education has been one of those issues where there has been a lot
of talk about over the years, but under this President's leadership,
talk has been turned to action. Similarly, after many failed attempts
in the 1990s, we now have trade promotion authority to open new markets
for our ranchers, farmers, and manufacturers.

On issue after issue, President Bush has led the way in providing
progress for the American people. One of the sure signs of his
leadership can be seen every day in the people that he has brought into
government. As many of you know, I've had the privilege of holding a
number of positions in public service -- including White House Chief of
Staff, member of Congress, Secretary of Defense. Looking at the group
now serving under President Bush, I can tell you this is one of the
finest teams ever assembled by a President of the United States.

All of us in this administration -- and Republicans in the House
and Senate -- recognize that our job is not to rest on a strong record,
but rather to keep adding to that record. Abroad, the fundamental
interest of this nation requires that we oppose threats to our freedom
and security wherever they gather. And it requires that we free
markets, democracy, and tolerance -- because these are the ideas and
aspirations that overcome violence, and turn societies to the pursuit
of peace. In the Middle East and beyond, all who strive and sacrifice
for the cause of freedom will have a friend in the United States of
America.

Here at home, we have a full agenda, and some pressing business to
complete. After so many years of inaction, we are nearing major reform
on Medicare -- reform that strengthens the system, and provides
America's seniors with prescription drug coverage. The President has
proposed a strategy based on greater energy efficiency and
conservation, cleaner technology, and more energy production right here
in the United States of America. For the sake of our economic security
and our national security, we must modernize our energy infrastructure
and make this nation less dependent on foreign oil.

We also need to improve our health care system through liability
reform. In Texas, and all across America, doctors should be able to
spend their time healing patients, instead of fighting frivolous
lawsuits. (Applause.)

Also on Capitol Hill, it's time for the United States Senate to get
about the business of confirming President Bush's judicial nominees.
(Applause.) The President has put forward superb nominees to serve on
the federal bench -- talented, experienced men and women who represent
the mainstream of American law and American values. Yet some of these
nominees, including Justice Priscilla Owen of Texas, have been denied
up-or-down votes in the Senate for months, and even years. Last week,
and again just yesterday, Senate Democrats waged filibusters against
nominees, who would have been confirmed with a majority if the Senate
had simply been permitted to vote. It is time for the Senate to end
this unfair practice, and to end all the needless delays in the
confirmation process. Every nominee to the Senate -- to the bench
deserves a prompt up-or-down vote in the Senate floor. (Applause.)

We've achieved a great deal over these last few years. But there's
a great deal left to do. Washington -- in Washington and around the
world this nation has many responsibilities and challenges. The
campaign season will come in due course, and when it does, President
Bush and I will run hard and take nothing for granted. We understand
the key to victory is to do the work we've been given, and to do it
well. We intend to make good use of every day we have the honor of
serving the American people.

Long before I took this job, I had the good fortune to work with
other presidents that I greatly admire. As a White House staffer in
the aftermath of Watergate, I saw Gerald Ford restore confidence in
government by the sheer decency and force of his character. As a
congressman during the decisive years of the Cold War, I watched the
conviction and moral courage of Ronald Reagan. And as a member of the
Cabinet under former President Bush, I saw the ideal of public service
in its purest form and came to know a leader of true honor and
integrity.

Along the way, I learned a few things about the presidency, and the
kind of person that it takes to do that job well. It takes the finest
qualities of character: conviction, personal integrity, good judgment,
compassion, and courage in times of testing for the nation. And that,
ladies and gentlemen, is exactly the kind of man we have in the White
House today.

President Bush and I are both honored by your confidence in us, and
by your commitment to the cause we share. Your support in November of
2003 will help assure victory in November of 2004.